Arlo NoMad

After a delayed flight and mid-afternoon traffic getting into Manhattan, I arrived at the Arlo NoMad hotel with all guns blazing. Not to mention: completely starving.

‘Where’s the nearest oyster bar?’ I asked the concierge as I handed over my ID and credit card. My delay had set me back three hours and I had second-row seats for Cats on Broadway starting at 7pm, after all. Long story short: I had no time to fool around. I added: ‘Somewhere that will have a lively atmosphere right now.’

The man with a million-dollar smile at the front desk successfully managed to simultaneously check me in and jot down the address and directions for the perfect pre-theater shellfish. It was my first ‘Ahhh’ moment at the Arlo. The second? ‘The bodega behind you is open 24 hours,’ he added.

The bodega he was referring to is a main feature of the bright, bubbly lobby. A small line of hotel guests and Midtown passers-by belly up to the no-frills bar that serves up a deliciously strong brew, breakfast toasts and a variety of pizzas that I indulged in more than once during my two-night stay. Yes, the pizza was that good.

I had booked a Queen Sky Room, so hopped in the elevator. Inside number 2302, a charming jewel-box of a room flooded with light awaited me. With floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls, the Arlo NoMad proved to be a perfect, sky-high perch looking out over 31st and Madison. The room was small but incredibly well-appointed. The real surprise? A sizeable shower stocked with Blind Barber toiletries. Yes, I was starving. Yes, I had tickets to a show. But let me just sit here and bask in the sunlight pouring through the windows, I thought. There was something about the space that made me incredibly happy. I learned later that there are also rooms with terraces, and the thought of returning and booking a balcony room made me squeal out loud.

The concept at the Arlo NoMad, I had read, is all about creating an inviting environment focusing on small spaces paired with just the essentials. You know the schtick they’re after: we have only what you need because in a city as vibrant as New York, you’re most likely out exploring and networking and hustling. And, in my particular case, seeing Broadway shows. So while the rooms are compact, they’re the perfect space to refresh and recharge in. Unlike other boutique hotels with a similar modus operandi, there’s still a genuinely warm level of sophisticated charm and excellent service—not that fake, thin veneer-type service you find in other properties with cute names and trendy logos. On top of that, the Arlo NoMad boasts shared spaces that are inspired, cosy and designed to be used. I spent the morning reading in their library, slurped an entire bowl of bucatini at celebrity chef Dale Talde’s restaurant Massoni, sipped a post-theatre cocktail at their second-floor bar (ironically, the best Manhattan I’ve had in a long while), and although it wasn’t open during my stay, managed a sneaky peek at a truly impressive rooftop patio. And let’s be honest: I’ve seen a lot of rooftop patios in my day. This one is pure gold, people.

The following morning, after grabbing an avocado toast from the bodega and realising I was quickly racking up quite the tab, I decided to forgo cabs to save some cash and took out a hotel rental bike instead. My city pursuits were purely touristic. I biked through Central Park and to the Empire State Building and to a matinee of Amélie at the Walter Kerr theatre. Did I mention? Their bike rentals are free. Yes, free.

I returned to the hotel in the late afternoon and, on the wall opposite the elevator in the lobby, spotted a collage-board of NYC love notes from previous guests. With pencils and pads of colorful paper, one is encouraged to share favorite restaurants and Manhattan memories for other guests. So, on bright pink paper, I jotted down: ‘Take a bike out. It’s not as scary as you think. There’s no better way to feel a part of NYC than to be yelled at by cab drivers. Reward yourself with a beer at Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.’ I tacked it to the wall and read the other notes suggesting ‘Momofuku Noodle Bar was the most delicious meal that I’ve ever tasted in my entire life!’ and advice like ‘Tell George at Rudy’s that Ellen and Adam from Tennessee sent you!’ I got a real kick out of seeing the joy spread by fellow guests.

I retired to my cheery room, just in time to take an indulgent but quick nap before heading back uptown to see Sunday in the Park with George at 8pm: the pièce de résistance of my madcap week of Broadway shows. I was about to draw the curtains, but found myself staring out of the windows across the concrete expanse, charmed by the end-of-day light bouncing off my own personal skyline. Perhaps the best piece of theatre, I thought, is right in front of me.